In-line fuse



8, 19.59 E. BERNSTEIN 2,916,587

IN-LINE FUSE Filed Aug. 14, 1957 INVENTOR. Ell/07' GEMST United States Patent IN-LINE FUSE Elliot Bernstein, Cedar-burst, N.Y.

Application August 14, 1957, Serial No. 678,192

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-131) My present invention relates to an in-line fuse which is directly connectible to suitably equipped lead wires of the protected circuit and at the same time can be readily detached therefrom. In-line fuses known to the prior art were either (1) connectible directly to the circuit wires by soldering, which prevents detaching, or (2) detachably mounted by means of fuse clips, and thus not connected directly to the circuit wires. It is obviously desirable that a consumable circuit element like a fuse be readily detachable and replaceable, yet in some applications fuse clips and the overlapping end caps with which they cooperate occupy valuable space.

My invention achieves the desired removability without resorting to holding structures which occupy any space beyond that occupied by the fuse body and circuit wires.

My invention consists of an insulating fuse tube containing a fuse element, and having end caps at both ends which have no space-consuming projections beyond the outside diameter of the fuse tube. The end caps engage wires of the protected circuit equipped with taper pins." These taper pins are very highly rated for both electrical contact and mechanical strength. They are in effect, short tapered extensions at the ends of the lead wires and in operation they are received within cooperating internal tapers reamed out of the end cap. Thus, they occupy for all practical purposes no additional space beyond that occupied by the fuse body and circuit wires.

The primary object of my invention is, therefore, a fuse which is readily connectible directly to, and readily disconnectible from, suitably equipped lead wires.

Another object of my invention is a fuse which is connectible to lead wires without being soldered or other-' wise permanently attached thereto.

Another object of my invention is a fuse which is removably mounted without the use of space-consuming fuse clips.

Another object of my invention is a fuse which achieves direct connection to suitably equipped lead wires yet at the same time is readily disconnectible therefrom.

Another object of my invention is a fuse which achieves a mechanically strong and electrically solid connection to suitably equipped lead wires.

Another object of my invention is a fuse having no space-consuming projections beyond the outside diameter of the insulating fuse tube, this lending itself to miniaturization.

Another object of my invention is a hermetically sealed fuse unit.

The foregoing and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure l is a partially exploded, partially cut-away perspective view of my fuse.

Figure 2 is a partially cut-away side view of my fuse.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the end-cap of my fuse.

Figure 4'is a side view'of the end cap' of my Figure 5 is a perspective view of'the insulative-fusetube ofimy fuse". v 1

Referring to the drawing, a tube 12 of insulating material such as ceramic or glass having a bore 19 is provided with a protective fuse element 18 and fitted with end-caps 13. The pins 13A of end caps 13 are sized to fit into bore 19 and to contact fuse element 18. The flanges 13B of end caps 13 seal off bore 19 and have an outside diameter substantially equal to that of fuse tube 12. End caps 13 are each further provided with tapered recesses 20 reamed to an appropriate size to cooperate with corresponding taper pins 15 crimped to the bare ends 16 of lead wires 17; these pins 15 are then readily connectible to and disconnectible from tapered recesses 20 of end caps 13.

The end caps 13 are turned or stamped from brass, then reamed to provide tapered recesses 20 and the inside flange face 13C is tinned. The corresponding butt 12C of fuse tube 12 is also tinned. Fuse element 18 and pins 13A of end caps 13 are then inserted into bore 19 of fuse tube 12 and the surfaces 12C and 13C are soldered to each other; this forms a complete seal and also establishes electrical contact between fuse element 18 and end-caps 13. In addition, end-caps 13 may be silver plated.

Insulation of the entire fuse 11 is provided by a silicone cap which fits over the taper pins 15 or by a silicone sleeve 14 which is force-fit onto the fuse 11 and overlaps both ends, protecting the conductive members 13, 15 and 16. Insertion and removal of the taper pins 15 can be accomplished by folding back the overlapping portion of sleeve 14.

In the above I have described only an illustrative embodiment of my invention. Accordingly, I intend to be bound only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fuse comprising a tube, a fuse link in said tube, an end cap secured to said tube at each end thereof and protruding therein, said fuse link making contact with said end caps against the inwardly facing surfaces thereof by compressive abutment therewith whereby said fuse link is under contact-maintaining compression, the ends of said fuse link being disposed in diametrically opposed portions of the junctions formed between said end cap and said tube for support of said fuse link and maintenance of contact engagement.

2. In a fuse as set forth in claim 1, each of said end caps having an outwardly exposed, tapering bore therein and connector means for respective bores comprising tapered elements to be frictionally held in respective bores and having leads connected thereto.

3. In a fuse as set forth in claim 1, said caps having outer flanges adapted to abut respective ends of said tube, said flanges being sealed to respective ends.

4. In a fuse as set forth in claim 1, each of said end caps having an outwardly exposed tapering bore therein and connector means for respective bores comprising tapered elements to be frictionally held in respective bores and having leads connected thereto, said end caps having outer flanges adapted to abut respective ends of said tube, said flanges being sealed to respective ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 737,282 Sachs Aug. 25, 1903 1,112,156 Murray Sept. 29, 1914 1,180,767 Eustice Apr. 25, 1916 1,506,049 Condit Aug. 26, 1924 1,861,369 Sundt May 31, 1932 (Other references on following page) .2 3. UNITED STATES PATENTS Golf June 24, 1941 Kovacik Ian. 17, 1956 Moeller Aug. 14, 1956 Simpson et al Mar. 12, 1957 Kinnear 'Aug. 13, 1957 McAlister Mar. 25, 1958 4 FOREIGN PATENTS France Apr. 9, 1934 OTHER REFERENCES Aircraft-Marine Products, Inc. Catalogue 1955, pages 5-6 relied upon. 

